A Letter to the SOBCon Community
Anyone who has been around me in these past few months knows how much I have been looking forward to SOBCon this year. A fabulous and hard-working team of volunteers stepped up to help make our SOBCon goals real. A most impressive group of speakers committed to start the conversations that would drive the mastermind team discussions. I was thrilled and humbled to be planning such a big deal.
With the initial ticket sales and the enthusiastic response on social networks, it seemed that SOBCon LEVERAGE had real traction. Not only were so many returning, but folks who had been hearing about SOBCon for years were buying tickets too!
Then SOBCon faced a crucial challenge, we had not had to overcome before. We were hit hard by sponsor-partnerships that didn’t materialize. Despite a deep commitment to “make it happen through sheer force of belief and a will to serve,” we couldn’t find new sponsor-partners on short notice to replace what we lost.
Suddenly the momentum of a great start to ticket sales and social network buzz, wasn’t enough to make a SOBCon experience that you love. An experience that
- is focused on the audience and giving time to meet and discuss how the great ideas they’re hearing can be custom-fit to their business
- allows every voice in the room to add value,
- is more than exchanging business cards, that gives the chance to sit with, work with, and learn from every person in the room.
- is single-strand content plan that brings the latest questions and answers in serving customers and growing a business.
- is fabulous food, great venues for conversation, and the best wifi.
because every event experience should be worth far more than the cost of getting there and packed with ideas and relationships that keep delivering for years after the event. The SOBCon community is unforgettably supportive and, as we all know, filled with lifelong friends. But, as much as it is a labor both love and business, I need to be realistic. I can’t pursue an endeavor that puts my business and personal life seriously at risk.
Unfortunately, this year hasn’t generated enough resources to do that. Despite the great planning and the support of so many, I sadly must report that SOBCon 2014 won’t happen.
If you are one of the great folks who purchased a ticket or reserved a seat, I’ll contact you next week about refunds.
In truth and trust and with so much gratitude,
Liz
